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SI 



D THE BIBLE— WOMAN'S RECORD. 



A DISCOURSE 



OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF 



RS. MARY GIDEON; 



DELIVERED IN THE 



FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C, 



On the Fourteenth day of August, 1853. 



BY THE PASTOR, 



EEV. JOHN C. SMITH. 




WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED BY REQUEST. 
1853. 



B 



iR 



THE BIBLE— WOMAN'S RECORD. 



A DISCOURSE 



OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF 



MRS. MARY GIDEON; 



DELIVERED IN THE 



FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C, 



On the Fourteenth day of August, 1853. 



BY THE PASTOR, 



EEV. JOHN C. SMITH. 



<■•♦♦» 




WASHINGTON: 



A 



PRINTED BY BEQUEST 
1853. 



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4 



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A DISCOURSE. 



" Until that I Deboeah aeose, that I aeose a Mother in 

Iseael." — Judges, v, 7. 

The Bible is woman's most truthful, most beautiful 
record. The brightest pages of her history are writ- 
ten here by holy men of old, and made luminous by 
the Holy Ghost. "We have this book in our hands 
to-day, and. read therein the wonderful things of God. 

Poetry and song have united to extol the virtues, 
and celebrate the praise, of woman; and the effort 
often is to clothe her with angelic nature, free from 
sin and the passions of the earth-born, thus misrepre- 
senting the original, and detracting from the beauty 
of that living portrait which God suspends in the 
gallery of his grace. 

We have here the truth, the whole truth, and in it 
understand whence woman is; her relations, position, 
influence, power, and her mighty acts. Indeed, we 
can never appreciate female character until we have 
studied it in this light from heaven. 



A very common and familiar remark is, " Circum- 
stances make wen." Another, I think, quite as true 
is, "Men make circumstances." We receive Loth as 
true with our interpretation. We mean in using such 
language, that "circumstances" call forth and develop 
powers of mind and heart which had latent been until 
these "circumstances" occurred. They did not make 
the man, in any sense, of imparting to him new facul- 
ties, or creating in him that which he did not before 
possess; but, in the circumstances, he developed pow- 
ers and adaptations which had not been before roused 
into action. 

What is here said of man may be as truly said of 
woman. In certain periods of time, she has appeared 
upon the theatre of life exerting an influence and 
exercising control over masculine minds, thus prov- 
ing that strength of mind, perception clear and dis- 
criminating, and deeds heroic are not confined to sex, 
but that in both God may show forth his power and 
glory. We make no comparisons. They are often 
invidious. We take this word of God as the rule, 
and render "honor to whom honor." Hence, for 
a just estimate of woman, we need not travel out of 
this record. While here, the fancy is held in check, 
gilded scenes and unearthly characters are not ad- 
mitted, imagination is not allowed to play ; we have 
woman as she is, as God made her, placed her, en- 
dowed her, and as He directs her. She needs none of 



the gewgaws of earth, the tinsel of life, the plaiting of 
the hair, putting on of apparel, the simpering and 
mincing of the weak and foolish, the blandishments 
which money procures, or the sickly sentiments so 
current, which but flatter and depreciate. God has 
put honor upon woman in her relations, position, and 
sphere of operations, and beauty is most adorned when 
unadorned. 

"With this divine light in our hands, we may know 
the value of this gift of God, and learn our indebted- 
ness to him, the giver of every good and perfect gift. 

The context is one of those strong passages in which 
woman shines. I say one, for the Bible furnishes 
many. Names are found here with which are asso- 
ciated acts the purest, the noblest ever performed; 
evincing not only the strongest affections of the heart, 
but the loftiest patriotism in the meekness and gentle- 
ness of woman's love. It was Miriam who sang, 
Hannah who prayed, Deborah who led the army of 
God to successful battle, Deborah who judged Israel ; 
Esther who approached the king in the face of an 
unchangeable Persian edict with her life in her hand : 
" If I perish, I perish ;" Mary, who sat at the Saviour's 
feet, who stood near the cross when all nature was 
convulsed in the throes of expiring Divinity, who 
came first to the sepulchre, and to whom first the 
risen Jesus manifested himself. 

From the many, we select Deborah, " a mother in 



6 

Israel." She lived in times full of interest and sor- 
row too, when her countrymen were harassed and 
oppressed by Jabin, a king of Hazor, in the north 
parts of Canaan, who reigned about the year of the 
world 2700. He was a very powerful monarch, had 
900 chariots armed with iron scythes, and an army 
under Sisera, his general, of 997,000 men. 

" The Spirit of the Lord came upon Deborah, the 
wife of Lapidoth, and she judged Israel at that time. 
She dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah, between 
Ram ah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim ; and the chil- 
dren of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she 
sent and called Barak, the son of Abinoam, out of 
Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him : Hath not the 
Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw 
toward Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thou- 
sand men of the children of Naphtali and of the chil- 
dren of Zebulun ? and I will draw unto thee, to the 
river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, 
with his chariots and his multitude ; and I will deli- 
ver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, 
If thou wilt go with me, then I will go; but if thou 
wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she 
said, I will surely go with thee; notwithstanding, the 
journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor, 
for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a 
woman." 

Our text is a part of the song of triumph sung on 



the occasion of that splendid victory by Deborah and 
Barak. At the first blush, it may seem as the spirit 
of vanity and boasting, but when properly considered, 
it is the language of gratitude and praise that God 
had called her to such a time, and put such honor 
upon her — " a mother in Israel." 

This remarkable woman possessed piety, true piety, 
enterprise, dependence on God, zeal, and patient, per- 
severing energy. The times and exigencies did not 
furnish them, but were the occasion of development. 
These were the gift of God, and she used them to 
their full extent in the efforts required of her in her 
peculiar circumstances. 

Thus, the ancient Hebrews had their mothers in 
Israel, and the people of God in our day have had 
such raised up to and for them. Of one we speak to- 
day with chastened spirit, for she who was a mother 
in our Israel is no more. "She is not dead, but 
sleepeth." 

We assemble to make a record, to which we are 
brought by the providence of God, and over which 
these many wounded hearts pour forth the deepest 
sorrow. Alas ! alas ! Mrs. Mary Gideon, wife of our 
Elder, Jacob Gideon, departed this life on Friday, 
5th instant, at noon, aged 62 years, less a few days. 

Could attentions from her immediate family, hus- 
band, sisters, children, grandchildren, the people of 
the church, neighborhood, and different parts of the 



8 

city have availed, she had not died ! Had the most 
eminent skill medical, and the most unremitting 
devotion to a case been sufficient, then would we not 
be here to mourn the absence of our much beloved 
mother in Israel. If sympathy, fervent prayer and 
constant, could have prevailed, we now would have 
been rejoicing. 

We repine not. "We ask that grace divine may be 
sufficient for us, and that that grace may be perfect 
in our weakness. 

In the case of Deborah, the people sung the victor's 
song over their fallen enemies. In our case, we sing 
the triumph over death, " Thanks be unto God, who 
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

In many points, these two noble women were very 
much alike. Nor were their circumstances very dis- 
similar. They both were women of piety, true-hearted 
piety, consecrated to God, possessing a large spirit of 
enterprise, zeal, energy, perseverance. 

The theatre of their operations was different ; but 
their circumstances, their objects, and aims were very 
much alike. They lived in ages very distant, but 
were closely allied in spirit and life. We speak of 
our mother in Israel as she stood related to this 
church, and say, without hesitation, that she was in 
this connection, from the beginning until the close 
of her life, all that Deborah was among the ancient 
Hebrews. 



Deborah exerted strong influence, and, under God, 
accomplished vast results ; but not more so than her 
sister in spirit, and ours by the grace of God. Neither 
of them was made by their circumstances, but the 
times and the occasions developed those traits of 
character for which each of them was so remarkable. 

The record of the one is imperishable, because 
written in this Bible; the other, because engraven 
upon our memory and heart. Long as life shall last, 
her name, " Mary Gideon," will be as ointment poured 
forth. 

Our tribute to exalted Christian worth is feeble, 
but we present the offering, though poor it be. 

She was born in Washington County, Maryland; 
removed with her parents to this city, where she was 
married to her surviving and heart-stricken husband ; 
made a profession of faith in Christ Jesus in 1811 or 
1812, and united with the First Presbyterian Church 
in this city, then under the pastoral care of Rev. 
John Brackinridge, and when the congregation wor- 
shipped in the house under Capitol Hill. Subse- 
quently, she transferred her relations to the Second 
Presbyterian Church, of which Rev. Daniel Baker 
was pastor, and continued an active, efficient member 
of that church until he resigned his charge and re- 
moved to Georgia. 

At this period in the history of the Presbyterian 
Church, protracted meetings were becoming common 



10 

in some parts, and introduced in many others. A 
more active form of piety was developed. Revivals 
of religion were prayed for and enjoyed. A portion 
of the Second Church had this spirit, and they were 
stirred up to do some things in the way of prayer- 
meetings not agreeable to those who had " rule." 

The vacancy caused by the resignation of Rev. 
Daniel Baker, a pastor much beloved, and whose 
labors had been greatly blessed, had to be supplied. 
Two candidates were before the people. An election 
was held. The minority, after consultation and 
prayer, determined upon a new organization, which, 
was effected 24th November, 1828, when David M. 
Wilson was chosen ruling elder, and Rev. Joshua N. 
Danforth pastor of "the little flock," numbering 
twenty-three communicants, five men and eighteen 
women ; of these our beloved sister, who now sleeps 
in Jesus, was one. 

Including the original twenty-three, there have 
been added to the communion of this church, so or- 
ganized, in all nine hundred and fifty-seven names. 
See what God hath wrought ! Surely " He hath done 
great things for us, whereof we are glad." The 
church has had for its pastors brothers Danforth, 
Noble, and myself, brethren loving one another, and 
beloved by all the church, and by none with more 
sincere affection than her over whose remains mortal 
we in sadness ministered on the Gth instant. 



11 

The Fourth Presbyterian Church has been abund- 
antly blessed and remarkably prospered of God. A 
glance at a few points may enable us to understand 
some things which otherwise might seem unaccount- 
able, or be attributed to causes not in existence. 

We notice the fact that those who took their posi- 
tion as a church of Jesus Christ in this city, and in 
his name set up their banners, were without money, 
worldly influence, reputation, save that which be- 
longs to pure-minded, honest men and women. Some 
sneered at them ; others in spirit said, " What mean 
these feeble Jews;" but there was a hidden power 
in them and with them which those out of the circle 
did not perceive, because it could be only spiritually 
discerned. 

At this point, so full of interest, anxiety, and re- 
sponsibility, the piety, enterprise, zeal, and effort of 
our beloved mother in Israel, developed in forms to 
command the respect, affection, and confidence of the 
little band. She had, without seeking, or even know- 
ing, the place among them that Deborah had in an- 
cient times and among the people of God. 

No church in modern times has been formed under 
much less of human expectation and encouragement, 
and yet none has been more successful. We attri- 
bute this, under God, to the direct, simple-hearted 
piety, zeal, and effort of the little band, generally, 
and to this " mother in Israel," specially. 



12 

We call your attention to — 

1. Her Piety. — It was not the formalism of reli- 
gion, nor that which expends itself in utterance of 
words, or the cultivation of refined sentiment running 
into mere transcendentalism. Her piety was a cor- 
rect view of Bible truth, obtained from reading the 
Word of God as given by the Holy Ghost. This truth 
impressed by the same Holy Spirit upon her heart, 
warming her affections into life, until her whole spirit 
was moved for God and for the salvation of the un- 
converted around her. She was educated in the 
school of Christ, and loved to sit, as Mary, at the 
feet of the Teacher come from God. 

She knew but little about philosophy, falsely so 
called, but everything about prayer and communion 
with God, and ever spoke and ever lived as if her 
own happiness and usefulness depended upon this 
fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus 
Christ. Hence, even a stranger, casually with her, 
and under unfavorable circumstances, could not but 
take knowledge of her that she had been with Jesus. 

From the organization of the church in her house, 
until the time of her departure, a female prayer- 
meeting has been held every week, of which she was 
the leader, and into which she poured the feelings of 
her large heart, and where the promise of the Head 
of the Church was so often, so fully made good. 

In seasons, too, of special interest in the church, 



13 

and for many of which we bless our covenant God, 
her power in prayer was always felt. Days of fast- 
ing, humiliation, and prayer, were conscientiously 
observed by her. After the public exercises, under 
the direction of her pastor, whose heart suggests this 
imperfect sketch, were closed, the sisters of the church 
often remained, and "our" Deborah was with the 
spiritual host and led them. 

Her family shared in the grace which made her 
what she was. Her husband was converted, her 
children, grandchildren, and the name of " Gideon" 
is a tower of strength now, as it was in other days of 
the church of God. 

Her piety was expressive and impressive ! It was 
strong common sense in a pure heart sanctified. No 
wonder, then, that those within her circle received of 
her spirit and exhibited like precious fruits to the 
praise and glory of God. She cultivated faith in 
Christ Jesus, reposed unbounded confidence in the 
promises and providences of God. This feature of 
her piety may be summed up thus : " We know that 
all things work together for good to them that love 
God, to them who are the called according to His 
purpose." Hence, she was always cheerful, had a 
word of comfort and encouragement to speak to those 
who were, at times, cast down. 

This cheerfulness is the more remarkable in the 
fact that her state of health for many years was such 



14 

that, with most persons, there would have been de- 
pression and gloom. If, for a moment, a cloud came 
over her, it was but momentary, for her heart was 
fixed, trusting in God. Living so much in the atmo- 
sphere of prayer, clouds were soon dispersed, while 
on the deepest and darkest she always saw the bow 
of promise. 

2. Her enterprise was one of the fruits of her 
piety — faith, works. 

To some ears unattuned, it may sound strange to 
speak of enterprise in woman. But not so to those 
who have studied character in the light of this sacred 
truth. We have to do with facts, and speak what we 
know. 

The organization of this church was a splendid, a 
glorious enterprise. I have never known from whom 
the first suggestion came, but this I know, that the 
enterprise had, in its incipiency, her most cordial ap- 
proval. Into it she entered with all her heart, and 
the same spirit of enterprise continued with her all 
the way through. She gave the church to which she 
belonged her entire affection, and always "enter- 
prised" in connection therewith. 

Among her enterprises I may name " the free 
school" which she originated in 1836 in connection 
with this church, and which was sustained principally 
by her own exertions, until the establishment of 
"public schools" by our city authorities rendered its 



15 

continuance unnecessary. I knew her faith and en- 
terprise in this matter. How punctually she pro- 
vided for the teacher's salary and incidental expenses 
when, many times, her resources were only in God 
and in prayer. How often have I not heard her 
tell of her difficulties in raising the necessary funds. 
Every source, at times, seemed to be dried up, but 
the money always came in the right way and at the 
right time. Many of the wives and mothers, now in 
respectable position in our city, will ever thank God 
for this pure spirit of faith and enterprise. That 
spirit was not confined by our city limits, or to points 
near her home. It was felt in other cities and in the 
far off West, for she had correct views of the influ- 
ence that must soon spread itself from west to east. 
The several societies in this church shared largely in 
her affections. Her interest in home missions, and 
the education of young men for the ministry, was 
most lively, and always well directed. Within the 
last fourteen months, she proposed and obtained the 
pledge of one thousand dollars, in sums of twenty 
dollars per annum for five years, for the education in 
Iowa of young men for the ministry to preach the 
gospel of Christ in that region. A large box of valu- 
able clothing and other necessaries for missionaries in 
the West had been received by them, and the ac- 
knowledgment made only a few days before her last 
and fatal attack. 



16 

We are thus particular to show how many differ- 
ent forms her enterprise assumed. Her heart sympa- 
thized with the effort to build the Fifth Presbyterian 
church edifice in this city, and, in the last conversa- 
tion she had with Rev. Mason Noble, in speaking of 
his effort to build a house of worship on " the Island," 
she said, in her own expressive way and manner, 
" that house must be built." 

3. Her Benevolence. — Her spirit was " glory to 
God in the highest ; on earth peace, good-will toward 
men." We have said that her "enterprises" were in 
connection with the church of her love. We speak 
this to her praise ; but, in the exercise of her benevo- 
lence, she directed that to cases the most needy. It 
was enough for her to know that her help was asked ; 
indeed, the necessity and her knowledge moved her 
heart and her hand. Well it is, my brethren, that 
we have the record, " God is not unrighteous, to for- 
get your work and labor of love," for many of her 
deeds of benevolence were so done that her left hand 
did not know what her right hand was doing. 

All classes, conditions, denominations, and colors 
shared her sympathies, and were helped from her 
purse. This has always been true of her. Her 
means were ample in her last days, but her spirit 
was always the same, and she ever gave according 
to her ability. Not only so ; she had the faculty to 
interest others in the objects that moved her own 



17 

heart, and draw forth from them their generous aid. 
If we had the power to summon to-day, and if it 
were right to anticipate the plaudit of the Redeemer, 
we might see a large multitude crowding these aisles 
from among the living and the dead. 

She had no sympathy with the "be ye warmed 
and clothed" spirit, the caricature of true religion, 
and the scorn of every real child of God ; but was in 
sympathy with Christ, who "took our infirmities, 
bare our sicknesses, and went about doing good." 

This same spirit of benevolence led her to prefer 
the hovels of poverty, the abodes of the destitute, to 
the society of the rich and worldly-minded. She had 
no taste for display, or moving in circles however 
-iistinguished, where God was not honored. She 
loved to go where Christians met, and esteemed 
" richer by far the heart's adoration, as dearer to God 
are the prayers of the poor." 

4. Her patient perseverance, springing from the 
pure principle of love to God. I have known her as 
her pastor for fourteen years, less one month ; and 
for more than twenty years of my ministerial life in 
Georgetown and in this city. I am, therefore, a com- 
petent witness, and have a right to testify. In every 
case I take pleasure in saying that her "continuance 
in well doing" was remarkable, and worthy of all 
imitation. Like many others, she would sometimes 
be weary m her work, but never of it, for her spirit 



18 

seemed to strengthen as she matured in years. Many 
around her halted, some went back and walked no 
more with her; but she persevered, and, blessed be 
God, she endured unto the end ! 

This spirit of perseverance is among the higher 
attainments of a Christian. Many run well for a 
season, but give up when difficulties come. Not so 
with her. We seem to see her at this moment as we 
used to look upon her sweet face, so full of benevo- 
lence and hope, and hear her say, " Hold on, brother;" 
" hold on, sister ;" " the blessing will come ;" " God 
is faithful." 

Often, when discouragements could not be con- 
cealed in failures that occurred, she was most anxious 
to get a firmer hold on the throne ; and then she 
knew she would be kept by the power of God through 
faith. Nor was she disappointed. While she had 
no confidence in herself, she had all confidence in 
Him, and was persuaded that he was able to keep 
that which she committed unto him against that day. 

The qualities herein named are some of those 
which she possessed, and in possessing and exercising 
which she was among us what Deborah was among her 
people, " a mother in Israel," and so she deserved to be. 

The place she occupied was not from any factitious 
circumstances, nor because at first there were but few 
around her. As it was in the beginning, so was it 
all the way through ; so was it in the end. She was 



19 

where she was, because she was w7iat she was. Now 
she is with Christ, which is far better. God gave 
her, God took her; blessed be the God of Deborah 
and of Mary, mothers in Israel ; and blessed be our 
God! 

In the large growth and expansion of this church 
of Jesus Christ, she could not have retained her hold 
upon the respect, confidence, and aifection of us all, 
if she had not been an uncommon woman. In this 
family of the Son of God all mourn the loss of our 
" mother in Israel." This is as genuine with all who 
knew her in her last days as in her first, in the 
twenty-fifth year of the church as in the first year. 

Blessed was she among women ; the hearts of all, 
as the heart of " the one man," loved her and hon- 
ored her for what she was, and what she said and 
did through the grace of God dwelling in her.' 

Having said so much of her in the relation she 
sustained to this church, it is but right to look at 
some features in her character in the domestic rela- 
tions. Here we might be more at a loss than in 
those more open and public relations to which we 
have alluded. We may not enter into the inner life 
at all times and be welcome ; but, in the case on 
which we are meditating, it was " at home" and in 
this inner circle where we saw the wife, the mother, 
the sister, the neighbor, the friend, and felt all the 
kindly influences of an affectionate, confiding spirit, 



20 

reposing confidence in God, and performing the duties 
pertaining to her household. 

We use the language of Solomon for the general 
purpose in view: "The heart of her husband doth 
safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of 
spoil. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days 
of her life. — She stretcheth out her hands to the poor; 
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all 
her household are clothed in scarlet. — Her husband is 
known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders 
of the land. — She openeth her mouth with wisdom, 
and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She look- 
eth well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 
the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call 
her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." 

Those who hear me, and knew this our beloved 
departed one, will with me acknowledge the justice 
and propriety of the application of Solomon's language 
to her whose loss we have so much reason to mourn. 

The strong, unvarying, separate, united testimony 
of husband, sisters, children, children's children, is all 
to the same point; while the cloud of witnesses in 
this church, in this city, confirm every word they say. 
And so we are prepared to speak, because the family 
lived with open hearts and open doors. 

In very few families, anywhere, was there less of 
reserve; you found no affectation, no concealment 



21 

there; none of the spirit and practice "not at home;" 
nor, when " at home," could there be seen manner 
without heart, pretence without kindness, form with- 
out sincerity. We expect from Christians something 
better than the mere outside show; in many families, 
the best of life is sometimes lost in the etiquette of 
social intercourse. Here, while all proper attention 
was paid to these minor points, every one felt " at 
home," because there was heart there. 

There was in that circle this very pleasant feature. 
Religion was always welcome ; and no guest, no visit- 
er was as cordially received as " the man of God," 
or those whose hearts were full of love to the Saviour, 
and had the grace, the spirit of prayer. This house- 
hold of Jacob and Mary was the household of faith. 
Here was the altar of God, and around it gathered 
the members of that household, led to the throne of 
grace by him who now journeys alone on the path of 
life. 

The influence of this beloved wife and mother was 
shed over all that household in the cheerfulness of 
her spirit. "We have already alluded to this. Her 
religion was the religion of the Bible ; deeply imbued 
with this truth, she looked upon life as furnishing 
much to afford happiness ; and receiving what she had 
as from God, she enjoyed it, using all to his glory. 

This happiness was in every heart. No man in 
his domestic relations could have been more blessed 



22 

than the surviving husband, or those relatives gather- 
ed around him now in sorrow. Well may it be said 
that " the light" of the household has gone out. A 
greater loss could not have occurred in any family, 
nor one felt more pungently, or mourned with more 
unaffected sorrow. The secret of all this happiness is, 
that she feared God, cultivated communion with him, 
walked by faith, and communicated that spirit to all 
within. 

A heart thus sanctified breathed the spirit of kind- 
ness and love upon all. Her friendships were abiding 
as her piety was genuine. She leaves behind her 
many witnesses competent to testify in all these par- 
ticulars. Nor can they, nor do they, hesitate to speak 
her praise. 

She was truly a mother in Israel, and had a con- 
trolling influence that was felt by us all. Her coun- 
sel and advice were sought in hours of anxiety. She 
knew how to speak, and when to speak, and how 
to apply the calming, soothing influence. She was a 
practical believer in the doctrine, "Bear ye one an- 
other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ," and 
always shared in the anxieties and sorrows of others. 
With her tender heart of sympathy, she wept with 
those that wept. 

Our weeping time, alas! has come; for she whom 
we loved is no more. She has passed to the rewards 
of the righteous, and is this day enjoying all that God 



has provided for them that believed on him in the 
world. Our doctrine on this subject is stated in the 
language of our catechism : " The souls of believers 
are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do, 
immediately, pass into glory ; their bodies being still 
united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resur- 
rection." On a doctrine so vital, so divine, we wish 
to be understood, and intend to leave no room for 
doubt. We plant our feet upon the foundation which 
standeth sure, and rejoice in the truth as defined in 
the words just recited. 

This we hold as the truth, and preach as the truth, 
and nothing but the truth — that when Christians die 
they are with the Lord, and that the moment in which 
is dissolved the connection between spirit and body is 
the moment when the glories of the eternal world burst 
upon their vision, and when they enter into and rejoice 
over the possession of their inheritance, incorruptible, 
undefiled, and that fadeth not away. "We abjure, in 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, all the fancies and 
speculations of men to the contrary. In this faith I 
live, and in this faith will I die! And, in my own 
view, I should be unworthy your confidence and 
regard if I could hold any other doctrine. 

To my own heart this doctrine of the Bible sheds a 
halo of glory around the scene we contemplate ! My 
joy is complete in seeing her with Him who is invisi- 
ble, and in the firm, the full, the divine persuasion 



24 

that she is this Sabbath-day on Mount Zion, the city 
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with an 
innumerable company of angels, and the general as- 
sembly and church of the first-born which are written 
in heaven, and with God, the Judge of all, and with 
the spirits of just men made perfect. 

" ! what hath Jesus hought for me ! 

Before my ravished eyes, 
Rivers of life divine I see, 

And trees of paradise. 
I see a world of sj^irits bright, 

Who taste the pleasures there : 
They all are robed in spotless white, 

And conquering palms they bear." 

"To die is gain." 



C L 



With such views of truth we may well comfort one 
another. She has gone before us. We a little lon- 
ger wait, but how little none can know. 

We contemplate this subject with pleasing grief 
and mournful joy. The loss we have sustained by 
this bereavement may be estimated by the statements 
made in this discourse. These are the words of truth 
and soberness, uttered in your hearing and in the pre- 
sence of the Omniscient One! 

Can we ever forget! Must not these memories 
be fragrant with us all! her virtues embalmed in 
these hearts, in that circle of love of which she was 
the centre-light ! that light has been removed nearer 



25 

" the Light of the world," but has lost none of its 
softness — brilliancy. "We speak of the grace of God, 
and write " grace, grace, grace." 

To the members of this bereaved family of Christ 
Jesus I need not speak particularly. There are occa- 
sions when we are best employed to sit in silence be- 
fore God, and commune with our own hearts over 
His dealings with us. 

It has been asked, " On whom shall her mantle 
rest ?" Her place in the church cannot be filled by 
any other, however worthy and precious. We have 
here a band of men whose hearts God has touched, 
and women blessed of God, laboring with me in the 
gospel. We may have " mothers in Israel," but not 
as she was ; she stood on the threshold, and was with 
those who laid the foundations of this spiritual house 
in prayers, toil, and holy zeal. She was foremost in 
that little company of praying women, now enlarged 
into these many families. 

"And Jacob said: ' God of my father Abraham, 
and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst 
unto me, ' Return unto thy country and I will deal 
well with thee : I am not worthy of the least of all 
the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast 
showed unto thy servant ; for with my staff I passed 
over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.' '' 

The influence which she possessed because of her 
peculiar relation to the church cannot be had by any 



26 

one other, but her loss sanctified to these mothers 
and sisters in Christ Jesus, it may be diffused, and 
some may have, as in the parable, one talent, others 
five, others ten. In every case, the Master solemnly 
charges, " Occupy till I come." ! that we all may 
watch and pray, and give all diligence to make our 
calling and election, sure. 

In the close of a life so spent, there was nothing 
peculiar or worthy of special remark. We asked for 
no new testimony ; we needed none. We have our 
own views of treating the dying saint, and do not be- 
lieve in any necessity for questions and answers ex- 
cept such as may incidentally arise. These may be 
sought in doubtful cases, but not where a lifetime has 
been given, testifying to the grace of God in Christ 
Jesus. 

I was sent for to Warren ton Springs, Va., and came 
home by the first conveyance, and found her suffer- 
ing dreadfully from her malady, and these sufferings 
continued until the last moment. She expressed 
herself as entirely dependent upon the grace that 
bringeth salvation, and asked us, on several occasions, 
to pray that her faith might not fail, and assured us 
that the merits of her Divine Saviour were her only 
trust. We rather avoided conversations with her. 
Her peculiar and painful disease made quiet and re- 
pose absolutely necessary. She had said so much, 
and done so much, in health and during her lifetime, 



27 

that her testimony was finished before she came to 
lie down on the bed of death. We must, however, be 
allowed to say, that in all the pain and suffering she 
endured, not a murmur escaped her lips. At inter- 
vals, when there was a remission of pain, she spoke 
to her family, who were constantly around her, with 
great calmness respecting her death. She, from the 
beginning, said she could not recover; gave counsel 
and admonitions to the several members of her fami- 
ly, and particular directions that her body should 
not be taken to the church, as she was opposed to 
any display. On the afternoon before she died, she 
took an affectionate and final leave of each one of her 
family ; had even the old family servant called, and 
spoke in terms of grateful kindness to her. 

In her lifetime and health, she often expressed 
horror at being put into the grave, but grace came in 
time of need, for this dread was entirely removed ; 
and she took occasion to speak plainly of the change 
that had been wrought in her feelings ; for, said she 
to her sister, standing at her bedside, "The darkness 
of the grave is now all gone, and it is all light, light 
down to the bottom." Thus, in spirit she was able 
to say, " death, where is thy sting ! grave, 
where is thy victory !" 

One word personal. No heart out of her family 
is more stricken than mine. In all the sorrow with 
which my own spirit was pressed, I sought to meet 



28 

my responsibilities, and minister to the sick and 
dying, and to those whose hearts were ready to burst 
with grief. I myself have needed some one to com- 
fort me, for I have sustained a loss not soon to be 
repaired. 

My relations were more, much more, than official. 
I Jcneiv her and loved her with a pure heart fervently. 
My first impressions were received many years ago, 
called as I was to perform the funeral services of her 
second daughter, Mrs. Dr. Rose. At that time I was 
pastor in Georgetown, and came over by request, the 
pastor of the family being sick. There I knew her 
and her husband, and there I witnessed a scene which 
1 would not, if I could, ever forget. The impressions 
of that occasion are still upon me, and I often live 
all that scene over. From that hour my heart was 
given to the father, now here ; and the mother, now 
there — clothed in light. 

She returned all that I ever gave her of my con- 
fidence and love. On the afternoon preceding her 
death, as I stood at her side, her son, leaning over in 
great tenderness, said, " Mother, hero is Mr. Smith !" 
She opened her eyes, looked upon me with great 
affection, and, extending her hand, spoke her last 
words to me in a voice clearer and firmer than I 
heard during her sickness, " My precious pastor." 



APPENDIX. 



FROM THE PHILADELPHIA " CHRISTIAN OBSERVER." 

DEATH OF MRS. GIDEON. 

Washington, Monday, Aug. 8, 1853. 

"When I saw the announcement a few days since that our beloved 
brother Gilbert was no more, my heart was deeply stricken, and in 
spirit I cried out, " Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth ; for the 
faithful fail from among the children of men." Truly, a standard- 
bearer has fallen, and we, his brethren, are most solemnly admonished. 

I then had no thought that I should be called so soon to mourn 
the loss of another even more tenderly beloved, though at that time 
Mrs. Mary Gideon, wife of our elder, Jacob Gideon, Esq., was lying 
seriously, and, as many thought, dangerously ill. I could not think 
so ; nor was my confidence shaken until last Thursday evening, when 
a change occurred that roused my most painful apprehensions. She 
died at noon on Friday. 

She was identified with the Fourth Church, was one of the little 
band that organized it in 1828, and always had a large place in the 
confidence and affections of all up to the hour of her departure. We 
have sustained a loss indeed ! The mourners go about the streets. 

Our deceased sister was no common woman. She possessed those 
qualities of mind and heart that pre-eminently fitted her for the first 
place among " the women that labored with me in the Gospel." Her 
loss will be deeply felt in our church, widely in our city, and in the 



30 

regions beyond. Those young men, candidates for the ministry, in 
Illinois and Iowa, will read this notice with tearful eye; and that 
pastor in Illinois, and that pastor in Wisconsin, and that pastor in 
Missouri, will be in sorrow that she who loved them and labored for 
them is no more. " Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy 
sight." 

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. J. N. Dan- 
forth, Mason Noble, Byron Sunderland, and myself. Brothers Dan- 
forth and Noble were my predecessors in this pastorate. The cases 
are rare in which all the pastors of a church are together sympa- 
thizing in a common bereavement; as each in her lifetime enjoyed 
her respect, confidence, and affection. Her last words spoken to me 
were, " My precious pastor." Blessed, thrice blessed woman ! thy 
name will be ever as ointment poured forth ! 

A large concourse of mourning friends gathered around her coffin. 
Of these, I must make particular mention of one — the President of 
the United States. His pew is immediately in front of Mr. Gideon's. 
When a Senator, he always sat with Mr. and Mrs. Gideon. Thus he 
came to know, and to know was to love her. 

The President was in the Navy Yard on Saturday, and when the 
booming of the cannon had ceased, was about to embark on a short 
excursion in a United States steamer. At this moment he was inci- 
dentally informed of the death. He expressed regret that he had 
not heard of it before, and said he would have postponed the excur- 
sion, but now it was too late. He, however, communicated his wishes 
for an early return. He was gratified, and came at the appointed 
hour as one of the. congregation, without invitation, other than that 
which all received. His heart, in common with us all, was pene- 
trated by the afflictive dispensation. He wept with those who wept. 
Comment is out of place. "Brethren! pray for us, that the word 
of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." 

JOHN C. SMITH. 



31 



FROM THE PHILADELPHIA "CHRISTIAN OBSERVER," OF THE 3J)tH OF AUGUST. 

A WORTHY EXAMPLE. 

Iowa citv, July 29, 1853. 
The Ladies of the Fourth Preshyterian Church, Washington city, 
under the Pastoral care of Rev. J. C. Smith, prepared, unsolicited, 
a box of clothing worth one hundred and twenty or thirty dollars, to 
be equally divided among ten young men in Iowa, who are preparing 
to enter the Gospel ministry, and whose tuition fees in the Academy 
are paid by a few benevolent individuals in the same church. How 
many wealthy churches are there in the East, that might exert their 
influence over Iowa in a similar manner, whose influence would be 
felt through all generations in rescuing this land from the man of 
sin? This Fourth Church of Washington city has its missionary in 
Illinois, ten students in Iowa, educated and clothed at their expense, 
and a private contribution to sustain the preached word, besides valu- 
able presents to myself and family. 

Yours, as ever, 

W. W. WOODS. 



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